Motherboard with connector for extender

ABSTRACT

A motherboard has a cut-away so that it deviates from its rectangular outline. The motherboard has a connector disposed along one side for physically and electrically connecting the motherboard to a motherboard extender.

BACKGROUND

When it comes to motherboard form factors, one size does not suit all.For example, there is an ATX form factor (with motherboard dimensions of12″×9.6″, 30.5 cm×24.4 cm) and a micro-ATX form factor (with motherboarddimensions of 9.6″×9.6″, 24.4 cm×24.4 cm). The full ATX form factorprovides for greater component count and thus expandability, while themicro-ATX form factor provides for a more compact assembled system. Oneadvantage of this particular pair of form factors is that they shareport placements so that a micro-ATX motherboard can be used in a casedesigned for a full ATX motherboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a motherboard assembly in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a motherboard and an extender that,when engaged, form the motherboard assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While it is possible to use an extender that adds PCIe expansion cardslots to a micro-ATX motherboard, it can be difficult to achieve thenumber of slots that a full ATX motherboard can provide. One embodimentaddresses this by including a tab on an extender that accommodates anextra expansion card connector. The tab conforms to a complementarycut-away on the motherboard, to provide an extended motherboard with anincreased expansion board connector count. This cut-away is entirelywithin the outline of the micro-ATX board, so that the board can be usedin standard micro-ATX chassis. Herein, a “cut-away” is a deviation by aperimeter to the interior of a rectangle that best fits the perimeter,in this case of the motherboard.

From the manufacturer's point of view, one motherboard form factor,e.g., micro-ATX needs to be supplied, rather than two motherboard formfactors, e.g., micro-ATX and full ATX, thus consolidating manufacturingand reducing manufacturing costs. In addition design and qualifyingtimes are reduced, further reducing costs and time-to-market. Themicro-ATX motherboard can be extended to meet the full ATX expansioncard connector count. Other embodiments permit extensions for other formfactors.

A motherboard assembly AP1 is shown in FIG. 1 including a micro-ATXmotherboard 11 and a motherboard extender 13. The assembly conforms tothe full ATX form factor. Motherboard 11 bears various computercomponents including a combination processor and processor socket 15,and memory 17. In addition, motherboard 11 has mounted thereon a series19 of PCIe expansion card connectors; series 19 includes full-lengthPCIe connector CO and three shorter PCIe connectors C1-C3. Motherboard11 also includes an extender connector 21 to be used when extender 13 isto be connected.

Motherboard extender 13 includes a printed-circuit board 22 and amotherboard connector 23, designed to engage extender connector 21 sothat motherboard 11 and extender 13 can be physically and electricallyconnected. Extender 13 also bears a series 25 of three PCIe slots C4-C6and other components 27 designed to extend the capabilities ofmotherboard 11 when extender 13 is attached. The dimensions ofmotherboard extender 13 correspond to the difference between an ATX formfactor and a micro-ATX form factor.

Motherboard 11 and extender 13 are shown separated in FIG. 2.Motherboard 11 defines a “best-fit” rectangular motherboard outline 31,which substantially conforms to the perimeter of motherboard 11, butdeviates along a first side 33 of motherboard 11, as indicated by adot-dash line. Motherboard 11 has a “cut-away” (“recess” or “notch”) 35in the region of this deviation to the interior 37 of outline 31.

Motherboard extender 13 defines a “best-fit” rectangular extenderoutline 41, which is represented by a dot-dash line where it deviatesfrom the perimeter of extender 13. The deviation occurs along a firstside 43 of extender 13. In this case, the deviation is to the exterior45 of extender outline 41. The deviation to the exterior defines a tab47. The shape of tab 47 is complementary to the shape of cut-away 35 sothat they conform to each other when extender 13 engages motherboard 11.

PCIe connector C4 is mounted on extender 13 so that it overlaps tab 47.Herein, “overlap” means that the orthogonal projection of an object (inthis case PCIe connector C4) intersects a target (in this case, tab 47).Having PCIe connector C4 on tab 47 permits it to be disposed over theboundary of motherboard outline 31 and extender outline 41 when extender13 is connected to motherboard 11. Without this complementaryarrangement between cut-away 35 and tab 47, the boundary betweenoutlines 31 and 41 could be a dead zone for expansion-card connectors.In other words, the illustrated arrangement allows seven rather than sixPCIe connectors. The extra PCIe connector can be a competitive factor inthe market place and a substantial asset to a well-provisioned computer.

A method ME1 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is flowcharted in FIG. 3. At method segment M1A, a motherboard such asmotherboard 11 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is obtained. At method segment M1B, amotherboard extender such as extender 13 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is obtained.At method segment M2, the extender is physically and electricallyconnected to motherboard 11 to form motherboard assembly AP1 (FIG. 1).

Method segment M2 involves mechanically and electrically engagingmotherboard connector 21 and extender connector 23. This connectionextends the PCIe bus (not shown) on motherboard 11 to service PCIeconnectors C4-C6 on extender 13. Also, components 27 on extender 13 arecommunicatively coupled to motherboard 11. These components can includea USB hub, mini-card slot, an eSata port, etc. These and othervariations upon and modifications to the illustrated embodiment areprovided for by the following claims.

1. A motherboard structure comprising: a motherboard having a first sidewith a cut-away; a processor or a processor socket attached to saidmotherboard; a first series of elongated expansion-card connectors, saidseries extending orthogonal to said first side, said expansion-cardconnectors extending parallel to said first side; and an extenderconnector disposed along said first side for physically and electricalfor connecting said motherboard to a motherboard extender.
 2. Amotherboard structure as recited in claim 1 further comprising saidmotherboard extender, said motherboard extender having a motherboardconnector (23) for engaging said extender connector so as to physicallyand electrically connect said motherboard extender to said motherboard,said motherboard extender having a tab that conforms to said cut-awaywhen said motherboard connector and said extender connector are engaged.3. A motherboard structure as recited in claim 2 further comprising asecond series of expansion-card connectors mounted on said motherboardextender, at least one of said second series of connectors being mountedon or overlapping said tab.
 4. A motherboard structure as recited inclaim 3 wherein said motherboard conforms to a micro-ATX form factor andsaid motherboard and said motherboard extender, when connected,collectively conform to an ATX form factor.
 5. A motherboard structureas recited in claim 3 wherein said second series of expansion-cardconnectors includes three PCIe connectors.
 6. A method comprisingphysically and electrically connecting a motherboard extender to amotherboard so that a tab of said motherboard extender and anoverlapping expansion-card connector (C4) extend into a cut-away of saidmotherboard.
 7. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein saidexpansion-card connector is a PCIe connector, said motherboardconforming to an micro-ATX form factor, and said motherboard and saidmotherboard extender, when connected, collectively conforming to an ATXform factor.
 8. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein said motherboardextender includes three PCIe connectors.
 9. A motherboard extendercomprising: a circuit board having a best-fit rectangular extenderoutline, said circuit board having a first side with a tab extendinginto the exterior of said extender outline, a series of elongatedexpansion-card connectors extending parallel to said first side, atleast one of said expansion-card connectors overlapping said tab.
 10. Amotherboard extender as recited in claim 9 further comprising amotherboard connector mounted to said circuit board for connecting witha mating connector on a motherboard so that said motherboard and saidextender are physically and electrically connected.
 11. A motherboardextender as recited in claim 10 wherein said circuit board has a formfactor corresponding to the difference in dimensions between an ATX formfactor and a micro-ATX form factor.
 12. A motherboard extender asrecited in claim 11 wherein said series of expansion-card connectorsincludes three PCIe connectors.